Music series brings opera, musical theater to Milton

Jody Feinberg The Patriot Ledger

Thursday

Mar 7, 2019 at 9:26 AMMar 7, 2019 at 9:27 AM

When 10 accomplished opera singers perform “Sing for Their Supper,” the concert will nourish the soul and indirectly feed the body. The concert of light opera and musical theater songs will raise money to help people with food and financial needs.

“It’s always struck me how generous people in the musical community are,” said Tim Steele, choir director at First Parish Church of Milton, who organized the benefit concert held at 7 p.m. March 16 at the church. “They love music and they want to share their gifts with others.”

The singers, who will perform for free, have sung with opera companies in the United State and internationally and have won major prizes. Steele, who also teaches at New England Conservatory and is a freelance opera coach and accompanist, is able to bring together such talent for the Milton Community Concerts series because he has worked with so many singers.

And many opera singers enjoy the chance to sing other styles of music, he said. At “Sing for their Supper,” they’ll perform songs from the musicals “Carousel,” “West Side Story,” “Secret Garden,” as well as spirituals, folk songs, and well known opera selections, with piano accompaniment by Steele. The concert is free and will be followed by a reception catered by Cooking with Stephanie. Audience members can contribute to a free-will offering whose total proceeds will go to the Milton Food Pantry and the Milton Residents Fund.

Two concerts remain in the series, started by Steele five years ago. On April 28, Boston City Singers will perform “A Message of Music,” featuring a diverse repertoire that includes jazz, gospel, folk and classical music. The 40 teenage singers, including several from Milton, will perform this summer for three weeks in the Czech Republic, Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. This concert also will be free and have a free-will offering to support the group’s tour.

“I’m very excited to have them perform,” Steele said. “They’ve been on my radar because of their high quality and their blend of so many cultures and income levels from Boston and towns around it.”

For the final concert on May 26, audiences will learn about the music and life of African-American opera singer Paul Robeson. British actor/singer Tayo Aluko has won numerous awards and standing ovations for his portrayal of Robeson in “Paul Robeson: A Giant in a Nutshell.” Aluko has waived his usual fee, and tickets are $25 adults, $15 seniors, and free ages 18 and under.

When Steele accompanied Aluko at Calderwood Pavilion at Boston Center for the Arts last summer, he said he and the audience were blown away.

“Many people know the name Paul Robeson and some details, but they’ll experience not only the singer’s artistry, but hear about his hardships, political activism and civil rights work,” Steele said. “It’s an incredible portrayal.”